Do Swimming Pools Add Value to Your Home?

Texas is always hot, but summertime is especially so, and that makes people start to wonder about pools. Cool, refreshing, and… A way to add value to your home? We’re going to investigate if swimming pools add value to your home or if that is just a myth!

The Cost of Adding a Pool
First, let’s talk about how much it typically costs to add a pool to your property. The cost of building a pool, equipping it, and filling it with 600 gallons of water can cost upwards of $50,000. In addition, Texas requires residents to enclose pools with a fence 48 inches in height or greater. If you’re like many folks, you’ll want to hide the fencing with some landscaping. Already, the one-time expenses are adding up.

Next, you’ll want to consider the ongoing costs of maintaining a pool, such as:

• Hiring a professional to open and close your pool for the winter
• Pumps and heaters, which can add hundreds of dollars to your electric bill over the course of a summer
• Expensive pool chemicals

Your homeowner’s insurance may already include coverage for pool ownership, but you should definitely check up on it and consider boosting your liability coverage, as well.

The Verdict
With the high cost of adding a pool in mind, can building a pool increase the value of your home? Not really. The reality is, you might earn back 20% of what you spent to build the pool if you’re lucky. In Houston, appraisers don’t add value to a home just because it has a pool. Instead, the potential increase in value comes from buyers who are willing to pay a bit more for a home specifically to enjoy a little backyard paradise.

One thing to note, however, is that not having a pool in a neighborhood full of them can cause your home’s value to slip.

Since there are no guarantees that swimming pools add value, you are better off just building the pool because it will bring you happiness, rather than because it might increase the value of your home.

Are you interested in buying or selling a home? Contact us today at 713-364-5883 or info@angelfultzrealty.com.